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Bismillah ar Rahmaan ar Raheem

Adhering to the Sunnah and Reviving it

Hasan al-Basri (d.110 A.H.) said:

‘Statements cannot be correct except with actions; Statements and actions cannot be correct except with an intention; and statements, actions and an intention cannot be correct except according to the Sunnah.’

Q: Many questions raised about the statement that Your Eminence declared: "Obeying the ruler is Obligatory" and the Hadith: He who obeys the commander (appointed by me) obeys me. Should we obey the ruler in everything?

A: This is a Hadithrelated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim)on the authority of Abu Hurayrah in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, Whoever obeys the commander (appointed by me) obeys me and whoever disobeys the commander disobeys me. Moreover, Allah (glory be to Him) states in His Glorious Book, O you who believe! Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority.

This ruling is general and its meaning is qualified by other Hadiths from the Sunnah, as both the Quran and the Sunah are integrated and their rulings restrict each other. That is to say, the general meaning in the book of Allah can be defined by a Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and vice versa. Thus, the Ayah under discussion is among the positions which the Sunnah confines its meaning. Allah (Exalted be He) stated, and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. It is reported in the authentic Sunnah of the Prophet, Obedience is obligatory only in what is good. Those in authority should not be obeyed except in lawful matters. Similarly, parents, a husband, etc., should not be obeyed except in lawful matters as stated in aforementioned Hadith and the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the other Hadith, No one is bound to obey a creature in defiance to the Creator. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to the Sahabah (the Prophet's companions, may Allah be pleased with them), You will be ruled by leaders and you will find from them good matters and abominable matters.

( Part No : 9,Page No:104)

They asked, "O Allah's Messenger, what do you command us to do? Should not we declare war on them?" He (peace be upon him) said, "No, fulfill the rights due to them and ask Allah for the rights due to you." According to another narration, he (peace be upon him) stated, Give them their due rights and ask Allah for your rights. According to another wording: No, unless you see an evident infidelity on which you have a proof from Allah. Another narration states: No, so long as they establish Salah (prayer) among you. Accordingly, submission and obedience to rulers are established by the authentic Hadiths but are restricted to the lawful matters.

Ibn Taymia recorded concerning al-Hallaaj: “He was a magician, and sometimes devils would serve him. He was with some of his companions on Abu Qabis Mountain. They asked him for some sweets. He went off to a place close by and brought a plate of sweets. Later it was determined that those sweets has been stolen from a store in Yemen and a devil had carried it to that place.”

And Ibn Taymia also wrote:

Things like that happen to many, besides al-Hallaaj, who live evil lives. We know of many such people during our time and other times. Like the man who is now [during ibn Taymia’s time] in Damascus. Satan used to carry him from Salihiya Mountains to villages around Damascus. He would be carried through the air to the windows of houses and enter the houses with the people seeing him. He would come at night to the Small Gate [one of the six gates around Damascus at that time] and he and his companions would be seen there. And he is one of the most wicked people. One of them was in a fortified prison in a city called Al-Shahida. He would go through the air to the top of a mountain and people would see him. A devil used to carry him. He was a highway robber.

Most such people are leaders of evil. One of them was called al-Barsha Abu al-Majib. His tent was pitched for him once on a dark night. Bread was made in the manner of an offering. They did not mention Allah. And there was none among them who would mention Allah nor had they any book containing Allah’s name. Then al-Barsha rose in the air. They watched him and heard him speak to Satan and heard Satan speak to him. Whoever laughed or stole some of the bread would be hit without knowing who hit him. Then Satan informed them of some things they had asked about. Then he ordered them to sacrifice a cow, horse or similar animal. [He told them] to strangle the animal and not to mention the name of Allah upon it. When they would do that, he would then fulfil their needs.

Ibn Taimiya also mentioned a Sufi sheikh

Who said about himself that he used to commit adultery and sodomize boys. He said, “A black dog with two white spots between his eyes would say to me, ‘So and so will come to you about an oath he made by you and I have fulfilled his need on your behalf.’ Then the person would come with an oath and that disbelieving sheikh would already tell him about it.

And ibn Taimiya mentioned from the same man, “If anyone desired me to change anything, like glue, then I would speak until I lost my senses and then I would find the glue in my hand or my mouth and not know who put it there.” And he said, “ When I walked at night, I would have a black staff with a light in front of me.” Ibn Taymia said, “When that shaikh repented and started to pray, fast and avoid the forbidden acts. The black dog left him. And the alterations stopped and he could not produce glue or anything else.”

Ibn Taimiya also mentioned another shaikh who would send his devils to posses certain people. The family of those people would come to the shaikh asking him to rescue their relatives. Then that shaikh would tell his devils to leave that person. The family would then pay that shaikh lots of money for his services. Sometimes the jinn would bring the shaikh money and food that they had stolen from people. Some people had some figs. The shaikh asked his devils for some figs and they brought those figs to him. When the owners went to their containers, they found the figs gone.

Ibn Taimiya mentions another person who was busy in acquiring knowledge. The devils came to him to deceive him. They said to him, “We have made the prayer no longer obligatory on you. And we will bring you whatever you need.” Then they would bring him sweets or fruits. This continued until he met some true scholars of the sunnah who asked him to repent. Then he paid the owners of the sweets for the sweets he had eaten while being tempted by the devils. (All of the above quotes are from ibn Taimiya, Jaami al-Rasaail-, pp. 190-194).

In Majmu al-Fatawa, ibn Taimiya explained some of ways of the devils in tempting people. He wrote,

I know some people whom plants would talk to and tell them of their beneficial ingredients. Actually, Satan who had entered the plant was the one talking. And I know people to whom the bushes and rocks would say, “Welcome, o devoted servant of Allah.” If they read “The Verse of the Throne” (al- Baqarah 255) all of that would stop. I know of some people who go bird hunting and the sparrows and others say to them, “Take me so the poor can eat me.” A Satan had entered the bird and spoken in the same way he enters humans and speaks from them. And some people are in their houses with the doors locked and see themselves outside while they did not open the door and vice-versa. Similar is the case with the city gates. Jinn take them in and out of them quickly. Lights would appear while actually it was Satan appearing like his friend. If they recite “The Verse of the Throne” over and over, all of that stops. [Majmoo al-Fatawa, vol. 11, p. 300].

And ibn Taimiya wrote,

I know of people who are spoken to by something that says, “I am from the commands of Allah”. And he tells the person that he is the Mahdi that the Prophet gave glad tidings of. And he performs supernatural acts for him. For example, if he even thinks of flying with birds or locusts through the air or if he desires them to go to the right or left, they do whatever he wishes. Or if he thinks to get some cattle up or have them sleep or leave, it happens for him without any apparent movement on his part. And they take him to Makkah and back. Someone will be brought to him in a beautiful form and he will be told that it is one of the noble angels who has come to visit him. The man will say to himself, “How [can the angels] look like a beardless youth.” Then he will look up again and find that he has a beard. It will be said to him, “The sign that you are the Mahdi is that you have specific birthmark”. He will look and he will see it. All of that is from the plots of Satan.

Ibn Taimiya also wrote,

The people of misguidance and heresies, those who are ascetic worshippers but not according to the manner prescribed by the Shariah, sometimes have strong influence that draws many to the places of Satan in which is prohibited to pray. This is because the devils descend upon them and the devils talk to them about some matters in the same way they talk to the fortune-tellers. In the same manner, they enter the statues and idols and talk to the worshipper of the idols. And they help them in some of their needs in the same manner they help magicians. In a similar fashion, they help the worshipers of idols , the sun, the moon and the planets when they worship them in a manner they think that are deserving of, of sanctifying them, to dressing and lighting incense for them and so on. Devils, that they call the “spirits of the planets”, descend upon them and meet some of their needs. [Majmoo, vol. 19, p.41.]

There are some devils that the people call invisible men. Some people converse with them. They perform for the people some “miracles” that make the humans believe that they are close friends of Allah. Some of them aid the polytheist against the Muslims. Some say that the Messenger order them to kill the Muslims along with the polytheists because the Muslims were sinful.

The commentator of the Creed noted,

In reality they are the brother of the polytheist. The people of knowledge are in three groups with respect to invisible men. (1) One group denies the existence of such invisible men. But the people have witnessed them. And it is confirmed that some trustworthy people have witnessed them and have related what they saw. (2) A group that admits their existence and accepts it as a will of Allah. They believe, therefore, that there is a hidden path to Allah other than the path of the Prophets. (3) A group that rules out the existence of patrons of Allah outside of the framework of the Messenger but they believe both groups have received help from Allah. These people give glorification to the Messenger, being ignorant of his religion and laws.

Then he says, making clear what they and their followers are:

The truth of the matter is that they are all followers of the devils. The “invisible men” are nothing but jinn who are called men, as Allah says, “Indeed men of the humans used to invoke the protection of men of the jinn...” (al-Jinn 6). And the humans have company with them and witness and see them. Sometimes they cannot be seen but it is not the case that they keep themselves hidden from mankind. Those who think that they are humans are mistaken and ignorant.

Then he explains the reason for the differences of opinion about them and the reasons for their existence of three groups mentioned above,

The problem lies in not differentiating between the patrons of Satan and the patrons of Allah. It is obligatory to compare the actions of the people (or of the invisible men) and their statemens to the book of Allah and the sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him). What agrees with these two guides is correct and what disagrees with them is wrong. No matter what a person does and exposes of his deeds, he will not be a believer or devotee of Allah, even if he flies in the air or walks on water, as long as he does not stick to the Book and Sunnah.

[ Sharh al-Aqeeda al-Tahaawiya, pp. 571-572]

Sheikh ul Islam Ibn Taimiya said regarding distinguishing between situations of Allah and situations of Shaytan,

The one who cannot distinguish between Godly situations and Satanic situations will have truth resembling falsehood in his eyes. One whom Allah does not enlighten his heart and give him the reality of faith and following the Quran will not know the path of truth from falsehood. He will confuse the two situations in the same way people were confused by Musailama the liar of Yemen and other liars who claimed to be prophets.

Abdullah ibn Amr (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked, “Which people are the best? “ He (peace and blessings be upon him) said,” The best people are those whose tongues are truthful and their hearts are” Makhmun” .They said, “We know the meaning of a truthful tongue, but what is a heart that is Makhmun?” He said, “It’s a heart that is pious and pure with no sin. This heart has no unfairness, no envy and doesn’t hold malice.”

Collected by Ibn Majah (4216) Al-Albani graded this hadeeth as being Saheeh

Benefits for this topic:

Shaykh Muhammad Al-Imam (may Allah preserve him) spoke about this hadeeth in his general advice to the youth who involve themselves in fault finding, criticizing and belittling their brothers’ efforts. He said,

"This hadeeth puts in plain words the person who holds the highest moral excellence among the Muslims. Any person’s heart, which is free from harboring hatred and envy towards his brother, has achieved an enormous amount of good and he is considered amongst the best people.

Therefore, based on this hadeeth we need to investigate what’s in our hearts. Reason being, Shaytaan sows seeds of discord. Furthermore Fitan doesn’t leave anyone alone. For example, a person is a caller to Allah and there might occur between two brothers an argument or a dispute or a difference of opinion. Then after this occurs he neglects what’s in his chest. Following this negligence some disdain or distaste enters his heart. Afterwards, these emotions come in his heart. The person must be rid of such feelings.

As you are all aware, the human being is constantly trialed with falling into these types of issues of Fitan. Therefore each and every one of us, are in dire need to safe guard our hearts. We need to protect that organ so that it remains full with Allah’s remembrance, fear of Him, aware of His supervision over us, etc. And likewise our hearts need to constantly hold the love of brotherhood. The love of brotherhood must contain love, respect, and loving good for your fellow Muslim, giving him advice and working with him in righteousness and piety. All of these actions are from Islamic legislation.

It’s required that we all examine our hearts. We are human beings and things can enter our chest. We need to protect our hearts against such emotions, especially when issues arise and Shaytaan wants to sow discord."

Quotes from the Salaf:

Abdullah ibn ‘Awn Al-Basri said, “There are three things I love for myself and my brother to have. I love learning this Quran and acting by it. I love this Sunnah and striving to implement it and I love for myself and my brothers to invite people to piety."

“Remembering Allah is a cure and constantly mentioning people is a sickness”

Listen to the audio for the entire advidce from the Shaykh (may Allah reward him)

Question: "Oh noble Shaykh, in the newspapers these days it is written that there is a call to boycott the American products, and to stop the buying and selling of these products. Also, from this is the claim that appeared in one the newspapers that the 'Ulamaa. (scholars of Islaam) have called for the boycotting of these products and that this is something that is obligatory upon every individual Muslim, and that buying even a single one of these products (produced in America) is forbidden, forbidden (haraam, haraam), and that the person who does this has done a major sin (Kabeerah), and that he is helping these people (the Americans) and helping the Jews in their fighting against the Muslims. So I hope from your eminence that you can give some clarity regarding this matter due to there being a need for that. And is a person rewarded (by Allaah) for this action (of boycotting American goods)?"

Response: Firstly, I request a photocopy of this statement in specific from the newspaper that is mentioned here by the questioner.

Secondly, this is not correct. The scholars have not given a fatwa (religious verdict) declaring the goods produced by America to be forbidden (haraam), and the goods from America are still being imported and sold in the market places of the Muslims (i.e. in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), and these products that you buy from America are still available. There has been no religious verdict issued against this. Cutting off relations and boycotting is not to be done unless there is a decree issued by the Muslim authorities. If the authorities issue a decree calling for the prohibition (of particular goods) or boycotting a country from among the many countries, then it is obligatory to boycott that country. However, in reference to individuals who want to do this or they give religious verdicts that this is something forbidden, then this is a declaration of forbiddance that Allaah has not allowed. It is not permissible to do this. Yes.

Many times when a Muslim does a favor for another Muslim the one receiving the favor will thank them, so they will reply by saying, do not thank me just make dua for me. The Scholars have explained that this is not correct.

The following is a summary translation taken from the website of Sheikh Fawzan

Sheikh Fawzan said, (in his book Highlights of the religious verdicts of Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Tamiya in the creed) Sheikh of Islam Ibn Tamiya, may Allah have mercy upon him, said

And from the manners of the one who gives to others or spends upon others is that they should not seek a favor based on what they have given nor should they seek a reward from the creation based upon what they have given. And from the rewards is to request supplication (dua).

Allah says about those He has commended, we only feed you seeking the Face of Allah; we do not want from you any reward or any thanks. (Chapter 76 verse 9)

And supplication is a reward, as comes in the Hadith, whoever does a favor for you then return the favor to them; and if you are not able to find anything to return the favor with, then supplicate for them until you know that your supplication has equaled their favor.

And Aisha, when she would send out charity, she would say to the one delivering the charity, listen to the supplication that they make for us, so that you can make the same supplication for them that they made for us and therefore our reward can remain with Allah.

Some of the pious predecessors would say, if a beggar says to you may Allah bless you, then say to them, and may Allah bless you as well.

Therefore whoever does well to the creation, whether they are from the Prophets, or righteous people, or a king or a rich person; then this good must be done sincerely for the Face of Allah, only seeking the Face of Allah. And they should not request from the creation any reward, or supplication or anything else; not from a Prophet nor from a righteous man because Allah has commanded His slaves, all of them, to worship Him making the worship sincerely for Him alone.

Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allaah be pleased with him, said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) say: Verily, incantations, amulets and Tiwalah are Shirk. [1] Jabir, may Allaah be pleased with him, said:I had an uncle who used to treat people with incantations for the scorpion's sting. When the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade incantations, he came to him and asked him: O Messenger of Allaah, You have forbidden incantations, and I treat those who are stung by scorpions with incantations. He (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: He who can help his brother, let him do so. [2] How do we compromise between the Hadith which forbids, and that which permits? And what is the ruling on wearing an amulet containing Qur'anic words on the chest of the affected person?
Answer:

The forbidden formulas for incantations are those containing Shirk, beseeching other than Allaah, or meaningless words. But incantations that are free from such things, are legitimate, and are among the great means of healing. The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: There is no harm in incantations as long as they do not include Shirk. [3] And he (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: He who can help his brother, let him do so.[4] He also said: No incantation for other than the envious eye or venomous sting. [5] This means the most affective and beneficial incantation is that which is used in these two cases. The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was himself treated with incantation, and he treated others with it. As for wearing amulets by children and patients, it is not permissible. Such are called trinkets. But the most valid opinion is that they are a form of Shirk, and unlawful, because the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: He who wears an amulet; may Allaah not help him, and he who wears a shell; may Allaah not protect him. [6] He who wears an amulet commits Shirk.[7] And he (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Verily, incantations, amulets and Tiwalah are Shirk. [8] The scholars are at variance regarding the legality of wearing amulets containing Qur'anic Verses. The correct verdict is that they are unlawful, for two reasons: 1. The general prohibition of wearing any kind of amulets according to the Prophetic traditions whether they contain Qur'anic Verses or not. 2. Leaving no room for formulas of Shirk, for if the amulets containing Qur'anic verses were allowed then they may be confused with the other amulets, and that will keep the door open to Shirk, and all kinds of amulets would be worn on that ground. It is known that closing the door to things that lead to Shirk and evil deeds is one of the greatest judicial objectives. It is Allaah who grants success.

It is said that ridda (apostasy) can be either fi’liyyah (through actions) or qawliyah (through statement). It is hoped that you can explain for me in a brief and clear manner the types of apostasy related to 1) action 2) speech and 3) belief?

Answer:

Ar ridda (apostasy) is: disbelief after Islaam. It can be through statement, action,i’tiqaad (belief) and doubt.

So whoever: 1) makes shirk with Allaah or 2) rejects His ruboobeyah (Lordship) or His wahdaaniyah (Oneness) or 3) (rejects) an Attribute from amongst His Attributes or 4) (rejects) some of His Books or His Messengers or 5) insults/reviles Allaah or His Messenger (sal Allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) or 6) (rejects) anything from those forbidden matters, whose forbidden nature is agreed upon or who seeks to make (that thing) permissible or 7) rejects the obligation of a pillar from amongst the five pillars of Islaam or has a doubt about the obligation of this (pillar) or 8) (who doubts) the truthfulness of Muhammad (sal Allaahu alaiyhi wa sallam) or any of the other Prophets or 9) (who doubts) the Resurrection after Death or 10) who prostrates to an idol or a star or anything like that -

then indeed he has committed kufr (disbelief) and apostatised from the religion of Islaam.

So it is upon you to read the chapters of the ruling of apostasy from the Books of Islaamic Fiqh – for indeed they (the scholars of fiqh) paid great attention to this – may Allaah have mercy upon them.

In this way you will know - from the preceding examples - about the apostasy through speech, action and belief and the manner of apostasy through doubt.

What is the ruling on a sacrificial animal killed by a person who wears an amulet, and who ties knots or the like?

Answer:

Tamimah is made from beads, shells, lockets, and is worn around the neck by the children, animals, and women. It may also be worn in belts, and in their hair to ward off evil or to remove harm. All of which is prohibited; rather it is a form of Shirk. Benefit and harm is in the Hand of Allaah alone. Ibn Mas'ud, may Allaah be pleased with him, heard the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) say: Verily, incantations, amulets and Tiwalah are Shirk. [1] Abdullah bin Ukaym narrated that the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said: He who wears (Tamimah), will be left to it. [2] In the Two Sahihs it is recorded that Abu Bashir Al-Ansari was with the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), when he sent someone to order people to remove all necklaces of string from the necks of their animals. [3] The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) absolutely forbade hanging string necklaces around the camels necks whether they pertained to incantations or not, and ordered them to be cut. Because the people of pre-Islamic ignorance used to tie strings on the camels necks, and tie on them amulets, to protect them from evil eye and diseases. So the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade them from doing that, and he ordered them to cut them off. He who believes that a Tamimah, or something else has power to extend benefit or remove harm, he is a Mushrik who has committed major Shirk which casts him out of the religion of Islam altogether. We seek Allaah's protection against apostasy. A sacrificial animal killed by such a person is unlawful to eat. But he who believes that they are only a means of healing, and that Allaah is the One Who extends benefit and causes harm, and that He makes such thing beneficial, then such a person is a Mushrik who commits lesser Shirk. For in reality these amulets are neither legal nor normal causing means of healing, but are only imagined to do so. Some scholars have excluded amulets that contain Qur'anic Verses, and permitted them. They restricted the Hadiths in which the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) forbade using amulets containing other than the Qur'an. But the right verdict is the Prophetic which is opposed by no other tradition that exempts one kind of amulet or another. Allowing amulets also leads to disrespecting the Qur'an. A sacrificial animal which is killed by a person who wears an amulet containing Qur'an is lawful. That is because he only believes the Qur'an is effectual, and this does not cast him out of the folds of Islam. Moreover, the Qur'an is the Speech of Allaah, the Exalted, and His Speech is one of His Attributes.

[1] Abu Dawud no. 3883, Ahmad 1:381 and Al-Hakim 4:418 [2] At-Tirmithi no. 2072 and Ahmad 4:310, 311. This means that Allaah will not protect him. Such a person will be left to the thing which he wears to protect or heal him, which will never be able to do so. [3] Al-Bukhari no. 3005

Q5: What is the ruling on people who vow to sacrifice for anyone other than Allah, namely, for the dead. Yet, at the same time, they say, for instance, "O Lord! if my son or my daughter succeeds, I will sacrifice a sheep for you, O shaykh so and so"?

A: Making vows to anyone other than Allah is an act of Shirk (associating others in worship with Allah). Likewise, offering sacrifices to anyone other than Allah is also an act of Shirk. Allah (Glorified be He) says: ( Part No : 1, Page No:184)

Surah Al-Baqarah, 2: 270 And whatever you spend for spendings (e.g., in Sadaqah - charity for Allâh’s Cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allâh knows it all. He also says:Surah Al-An`am, 6: 162 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Verily, my Salât (prayer), my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). Surah Al-An`am, 6: 163 He has no partner. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Allah curses the one who sacrifices to other than Allah… Making vows is included in Allah's saying:Surah Al-An`am, 6: 162 my sacrifice

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

What is the ruling on wearing amulets and placing them on the chest, or under the pillow, bearing in mind that these amulets contain Qur’anic Verses only?

Answer:

The correct position is that wearing amulets, even if they are from the Qur’aan or from Hadiths is forbidden. This is because it was not reported from the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam, for any means to attaining an end which is not reported from the Messenger sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam is invalid and is not to be taken into account, because it is Allaah, the Almighty, the Majestic Who causes all effects, and if this means is unknown to us either from the Islamic law or from practical experience, then it is not permissible and is not to be considered as a means of attaining an end. Amulets, according to the most reliable view, are forbidden, whether they are from the Qur’aan or from other than the Qur’aan. When a person is afflicted by anything, he should find someone to recite over him, as Jibril recited incantations over the Prophet sallAllaahu `alayhi wa sallam and he used to recite incantations over his Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, and this is lawful.

It is reported that ‘Awn b. ‘Abdillâh – Allâh have mercy on him – said:

Those before you used to give to their worldly affairs what was left over from their pursuit of the hereafter. But today, you give to the matters of the hereafter the left-overs from your pursuit of worldly affairs.

"Religious scholars disapprove of women cutting their hair. Some of them have said that cutting of her hair is disliked except when performing Hajj or Umrah while others have prohibited it by saying that it is not permitted. Some scholars have allowed it with a condition that there should be no similarity to non muslim women or men. It is prohibited for a woman to become similar to a man, this is a sin. The same is also true regarding imitating disbelievers (women). Therefore, I find that she should not cut her hair either from front or from back of her head." [See Fatawa Manar Al-Islam, 826/3]

Sheikh Saleh Al-Fauzan (raheemullah) has said:

"A woman's hair is her beauty; therefore, she is required to take care of it. Styling of hair for adornment should be within the lawful limits and permitted means. She should hide her hair from men who are not her mahram (unmarriageable men). Getting hair cut or making it resemble that of men, defacing its shape or unnecessarily changing its color - all of this is unlawful, except dying gray hair with other than black color, which women are required to do. However, the styling of hair should not involve excessive expense, and women should not go to the hairdressers' shops, where perhaps workers are either men or non muslim women. Women may style hair at home, because this is modest and easier to do." [See Al-Dawa, 1311.]

And o n another occasion he (raheemullah) said:

"If cutting of hair does not involve tempting anyone or it is required because hair has become too long and thus greatly bothers the woman, then there is no harm in cutting of the hair, because the wives of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa salaam) also used to do this after his death in order to give up adornment and avoid growing long hair. But if a woman gets her hair cut in order to look like disbelieving women or to resemble men, then cutting of the hair is undoubtedly prohibited, because it would cause her to be similar to the disbelievers or men. If the haircut is done for grooming and beautification, then it appears to me as not allowed." [From Al-Dawa, 240]

Sheikh Abdul Azeez bin Baz (raheemullah) has said:

"We do not know about cutting of women's hair, but its shaving is prohibited; therefore, a woman should not shave the hair of her head. However, if she cut her hair because of their length or abundance, there is no harm in it. Cutting of hair should be in such a fashion that it pleases her husband and it should not be similar to that of disbelieving women. Shaving of her head is not allowed except in the case of illness. [See Fatawa Almarah, 165]

“The Ahaadeeth concerning Kuhl, scented oils and oils on the day of ‘Aashuraa are from the fabrications of liars. In contrast, others have turned it into a day of sorrow and pain. Both groups are innovators who are not upon the Sunnah. The people of the Sunnah follow what the Prophet - صلى الله عليه و سلم - ordered, which is fasting, and they stay clear from what the Shaytaan orders with from innovations.”

…there is a consensus amongst the scholars that fasting on the day of ‘Aashuraa is a Sunnah and not an obligation, as for celebrations and applying Kuhl, then these are innovations.”

Celebrating with or buying gifts e.t.c. for children on the day of ‘Aashuraa.

Our Shaykh stated in ‘Tamaam al Minnah’ P.412

“…This is why Shaykul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah, may Allaah have mercy upon him, was convinced that this Hadeeth is a lie[2]. He stated that al Imaam Ahmad was asked about this Hadeeth to which he responded that he does not hold it as authentic. He fortified his position that one of the Salaf did not like to practice this on the day of ‘Aashuraa, and that he does not know of any Ahaadeeth concerning this during the virtuous first generations. He spoke extensively on the issue in ‘Al Fataawaa’ 2/248 – 257 so refer to it."

It was stated in ‘Al Majd al Lughawee’ that al Manaawee stated: “What is being narrated concerning the virtues of prayer, spending wealth, applying oils and Kuhl on the day of ‘Aashuraa are innovations innovated by the murderers of al Husayn.”

The Encyclopedia of Innovations: P. 719

To be continued shortly with other references inshaa Allaah…

Displaying sorrow, wailing and staying in a state of thirst.

Ibnu Katheer stated in ‘al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah’11/577: The Raafidah went to extremes in the Bawiyyah Empire during the 400’s. Drums were beaten in Baghdad and surrounding areas on the day of ‘Aashuraa, hay and ashes were left on the pathways and markets, materials that signify grief were hung in stores, people would outwardly display sorrow and cry, a lot of them would not drink water to be in conformity with al Husayn because he was killed in a state of thirst. Furthermore, women would go out barefooted in a state of grief, striking at their faces and chests and other abominable innovations, abhorrent desires and made up distractions. They only intend by it to defame the Empire of Banee Umayyah because al Husayn was killed during it. [Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah: 11/577]

Shaykul Islaam ibn Taymiyyah stated: Due to the murder of al Husayn, may Allaah be pleased with him, the Shaytaan introduced two innovations to the people. The innovation of displaying sorrow and wailing on the day of ‘Aashuraa; people striking themselves, screaming, crying, going thirsty and so on, [they were lead to this] due to their vilification and cursing of the righteous predecessors….[ Minhaaj as Sunnah: 2/322]

Celebrating the fortieth day after ‘Aashuraa.

Forty days after ‘Aashuraa, they celebrate one day that they call ‘Al Arba’een – the fortieth’. They gather money on this day, buy special foods and invite people. This innovation is practiced in India and Pakistan and other countries that the Shee’ah reside in, not to mention Iran, Iraq and Bahrain. [Al Bida’ wal Hawaadith – Shaykh ‘Abdullaah at Tuwayjree]

Practicing Ghusl specifically for the day of ‘Aashuraa.

All the Ahaadeeth concerning practicing Ghusl on the day of ‘Aashuraa, applying Kuhl and so on from what some of the people of the Sunnah practice on the day of ‘Aashuraa in opposition to the Shee’ah are fabrications with the exception of fasting. Shaykul Islaam stated in ‘ al Fataawaa’: 4/513: “Some people narrated fabricated Ahaadeeth which they used as a basis for their practices on this day – meaning ‘Aashuraa – in opposition to the Raafidah. So they resisted falsehood with falsehood and rejected innovations with other innovations. Even though the innovations of the Rafidah are more severe than what they fabricated, such as the Hadeeth: “…whoever practices Ghusl on the day of ‘Aashuraa will not become ill that year, and whoever applies Kuhl will not have sore eyes that year.” And other Ahaadeeth of the meaning, indeed these Ahaadeeth are lies and fabrications with the consensus of those who have knowledge of the science of Hadeeth…None of the Imaams held the opinion that practicing Ghusl, applying Kuhl and Khidaab and so on for the day of ‘Aashuraa was recommended, nor was this mentioned by any of the notable Muslim scholars who are referred to in knowledge of what Allaah obligated and prohibited. Nor did the Messenger - صلى الله عليه وسلم - practice this, or Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthmaan or ‘Alee, may Allaah be pleased with them all. These Ahaadeeth were also not collected in the books of Hadeeth such as…[ Al Lajnah ad Daa-imah]

[1]Al Manaar al Muneef: P.89

[2] The Hadeeth: Whoever Wasa’ [celebrates, buys gifts, makes happy etc] upon himself and his family on the day of ‘Aashuraa, Allaah would do that for him for the rest of his year.

What is the ruling upon the one that caught the tashahud along with the congregation in the ‘Eid prayer and in the prayer for rain? Should he then pray two rak’ahs and do as the Imaam had done or what should he do?

Answer:

Whosoever catches only the tashahud along with the Imaam in the ‘Eid prayer or in the prayer for rain then he should pray two rak’ahs after the Imaam gives the tasleem (i.e. finishes the prayer). In those rak’ahs he should do just as the Imaam had done by way of takbeer and recitation and bowing and prostration.

Narrated Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu): Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) deputed me to keep Sadaqat (al-Fitr) of Ramadan. A comer came and started taking handfuls of the foodstuff (of the Sadaqa) (stealthily) . I took hold of him and said, "By Allah, I will take you to Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) ." He said, "I am needy and have many dependents, and I am in great need." I released him, and in the morning Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) asked me, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I said, "O Allah's Apostle! The person complained of being needy and of having many dependents, so, I pitied him and let him go." Allah's Apostle said, "Indeed, he told you a lie and he will be coming again."
I believed that he would show up again as Allah's Apostle had told me that he would return. So, I waited for him watchfully. When he (showed up and) started stealing handfuls of foodstuff, I caught hold of him again and said, "I will definitely take you to Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam). He said, "Leave me, for I am very needy and have many dependents. I promise I will not come back again." I pitied him and let him go. In the morning Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) asked me, "What did your prisoner do." I replied, "O Allah's Apostle! He complained of his great need and of too many dependents, so I took pity on him and set him free." Allah's Apostle said, "Verily, he told you a lie and he will return."

I waited for him attentively for the third time, and when he (came and) started stealing handfuls of the foodstuff, I caught hold of him and said, "I will surely take you to Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) as it is the third time you promise not to return, yet you break your promise and come." He said, "(Forgive me and) I will teach you some words with which Allah will benefit you." I asked, "What are they?" He replied, "Whenever you go to bed, recite "Ayat-al-Kursi" -- 'Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-l-Haiy- ul Qaiyum' till you finish the whole verse. (If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you and no satan will come near you till morning. " So, I released him.

In the morning, Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) asked, "What did your prisoner do yesterday?" I replied, "He claimed that he would teach me some words by which Allah will benefit me, so I let him go." Allah's Apostle (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) asked, "What are they?" I replied, "He said to me, 'Whenever you go to bed, recite Ayat-al-Kursi from the beginning to the end ---- Allahu la ilaha illa huwa-lHaiy-ul- Qaiyum--- -.' He further said to me, '(If you do so), Allah will appoint a guard for you who will stay with you, and no satan will come near you till morning.' (Abu Huraira or another sub-narrator) added that they (the companions) were very keen to do good deeds. The Prophet (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) said, "He really spoke the truth, although he is an absolute liar. Do you know whom you were talking to, these three nights, O Abu Huraira?" Abu Huraira said, "No." He (sal-allahu-alleihi- wasallam) said, "It was Satan."

All praises belong to ALLAH peace and blessings are upon the Messenger of ALLAH, as to what follows

{ALLAH the Exalted says} “For over My servants no authority shall you have“

Some of the Companions said :{Verily the believer exhausts his devil just like one of you exhausts his camel during travel.}

Exhaust: weaken; meaning they exhaust him making him lose weight.

Thus making him a (nidwan)

And the (nidwu) is animal that has become lean (skinny) though traveling thus it meat has left its body.

Meaning the believer wears out his devil, so he debilitates him and makes him lose weight from his grief and sadness, because he is not able to tempt him.

Just like the person wears out his riding camel during travel and makes it lose weight due to the length of the travel and its hardships.

And this is the condition of the believer with his devil in the constant struggle with him.

He resists his plots and plans and whispers by always being firm upon the obedience of ALLAH the Exalted and Mighty.

And with this ibn Abi Dunya narrates in his book “The plots of the devil” from some of the salaf they said:

Verily a devil meets another devil so he says to him, “Why is it that I see you looking sickly? (Meaning the change is weight)” The (other) devil replies, verily I am with a man that if he eats he remembers the name of ALLAH so I can not eat with him. And if he drinks he remembers the name of ALLAH so I can not drink with him. And if he enters into his home he remembers the name of ALLAH so I am rejected outside of the house.

The other devil says, but as for me then I am with a man if he eats he does not remember ALLAH so he and I eat together, and if he drinks he does not remember ALLAH so I drink with him, and when he enters his home he does not remember ALLAH so I enter with him.

{They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). "And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew. And if they had believed and guarded themselves from evil and kept their duty to Allah, far better would have been the reward from their Lord, if they but knew!}. (Al-Baqarah, 102, 103)

Narrated Al-`Ufi in his interpretation on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) pertaining to Allah's Statement {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).”...} When Sulaiman lost his kingdom, great numbers from among mankind and the jinn renegaded and followed their lusts. But, when Allah restored to Sulaiman his kingdom and the renegade came to follow the Straight Path once again, Sulaiman seized their holy scriptures which he buried underneath his throne. Shortly after, Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) died. In no time, the men and the Jinn uncovered the buried scriptures and said: This was a book revealed by Allah to Sulaiman who hid it from us. They took it as their religion and Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {And when there came to them a Messenger from Allah confirming what was with them, a party of those who were given the Scripture threw away the Book of Allah behind their backs as if they did not know!}. (Al-Baqarah, 101) and they followed what the devils gave out, i.e. musical instruments, play and all that blocks the remembrance of Allah.

Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by Abu Sa' id Al-Ashaj after Abu Usamah after Al-A' mash after Al-Minhal after Sa'id Ibn Jubair after Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: Asif was Sulaiman's scribe. He knew the Greatest Name of Allah and used to write what he was ordered to by Sulaiman, then, bury it underneath the throne. After Sulaiman's death, the devils got it out and wrote between each two lines magical and blasphemous things. They said: "this is what Sulaiman used to apply and act upon." The ignorant among the people regarded Sulaiman as a disbeliever and continued to insult him till Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent with the Glorious Qur'an that reads:

{They followed what the, Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Abu As-Sa'ib Salamah Ibn Junadah As-Sawa'i after Abu Mu`awiyah after Al-A`mash after Al-Minhal after Sa`id Ibn Jubair on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) as saying: When Sulaiman wanted to answer the call of nature or to make love with any of his wives, he used to give his ring to a woman called Al-Jaradah. When Allah the Almighty wanted to afflict Sulaiman, he gave his ring to that woman. Afterwards, Satan came to her in the form of Sulaiman and took the ring from her. When Satan put the ring on, all mankind, the jinn and Devils submitted to him. Then, Sulaiman came seeking his ring from her and she said: "You are a liar, you are not Sulaiman." Thus, Sulaiman knew that it was a test from Allah the Almighty.

Upon this, the devils were free to do whatever they wished. So, they wrote down books of black magic and blasphemy which they buried underneath the throne of Sulaiman. After Sulaiman's death, they uncovered these books and said to the people: Verily, Sulaiman used to prevail with the help of these books. Consequently, the people declared their innocence of Sulaiman and declared him to be a disbeliever till the advent of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who came with the Qur'anic Verse that reads: {Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}. Then, Ibn Jarir said: I was told by Ibn Hamid after Jarir after Husain Ibn `Abdur Rahman after `Imran as saying: While we were with Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them), a man came and Ibn `Abbas asked him: Where do you come from? The man said: from Iraq. Ibn `Abbas asked: which city? The man said: Kufa. Ibn `Abbas asked: What is the latest news there? The man said: I left them talking about `Ali's departing for them. Ibn `Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: how dare you say so! If we felt that (he is departing us for the people of Kufa), we would not marry his women, or divide his properties among us. However, I will tell you the truth: the angels used to descend on the clouds and mention this or that matter decreed in the Heaven. The devils listen stealthily to such a matter, come down to inspire the soothsayers with it, and the latter would add to it one hundred lies of their own. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Allah the Almighty informed Sulaiman with the matter and enabled him to bury these lies under his throne. After his death, one of the devils said: I can lead you to Sulaiman's dearest and most precious treasure. It is under his throne.

Consequently, they uncovered it and said: this is magic. Afterwards, it continued to be copied and acted upon and what the Iraqi people practice nowadays is nothing but its remnants. Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us). " And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man, and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter}.

As-Sadiy said: Allah's Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}, i.e. the devils used to listen stealthily to the talks of the angels concerning what happens to those on earth: death, unseen matters or divine ordainments. Then, they come down to inspire the soothsayers with it and the latter would tell the people with it. The people believe in them and regard them trustworthy. Time after time, the soothsayers trusted the devils who later on used to add to each word one-hundred lies of their own. The people started to write down these matters and it circulated among the Children of Israel that the Jinn know the Unseen. Sulaiman moved quickly and gathered all these writings and put them in a chest and buried it under his throne. All the devils who tried to even approach the chest were burnt alive. Sulaiman declared that he would behead anyone who claims that the devils know the Unseen. After Sulaiman's death and that of the godly-scholars who knew it well, a devil came in the form of a human being to the people and said: I will lead you to an everlasting treasure that will never run out. He ordered them to dig under Sulaiman's throne and he took a side. He said to them: kill me if you find nothing. They dug it and found these writings. Thereupon, the devil said: Only with this magic, Sulaiman could overcome mankind, the Jinn and birds. Then, he flew away. It was rumored and circulated that Sulaiman had been a sorcerer. The Children of Israel kept these writings and disputed with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) regarding them. But Allah the Almighty revealed to him His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved}.

Narrated Ar-Rabi' Ibn Anas: the Jews used to ask Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about matters from the Torah, and every time they ask him, Allah reveals to him that with which he defeats and overcomes them. Thereupon, they said: Muhammad knows what has been revealed to us better than we do! Then, they asked him about sorcery and Allah revealed His Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. And He informed His Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that the devils wrote a book about sorcery and soothsaying and buried it under Sulaiman's throne. Verily, Sulaiman was not knowledgeable about the Unseen. When he died, the devils got that magic out and deceived the people by saying: this is the knowledge which Sulaiman used to secretly keep from you. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) informed the Jews of that narration and they went out lowering their heads defeated and humiliated.

Mujahid said pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}, the devils used to listen stealthily to the discussions of the angels and add to what they heard twohundred lies. Then, Sulaiman seized what they wrote and after his death they regained it and taught it to the people, it was nothing but blackmagic.

Sa'id Ibn Jubair said: Sulaiman used to look for and capture the magic of the devils and keep it buried under his throne. The devils could not reach it and thus they inspired to the people that it is the knowledge with which Sulaiman was able to overcome the Jinn, the wind, etc., and that it is buried under his own throne. Afterwards, the people got it out and practiced it. Later, the people of the Hejaz said: Sulaiman used to practice sorcery. Upon this, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut}. Muhammad Ibn Ishaq Ibn Yasar said: when the devils knew of the death of Sulaiman, they wrote down types of sorcery (magic) as thus: to fulfill such and such matters, practice such and such (procedures). They gathered all these in a book and sealed it with a ring bearing the inscription found on Sulaiman's ring and titled it with: This is what was written by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud. Then, they buried it under the throne (of Sulaiman). After some time, the Children of Israel got it out and said:

Verily, Sulaiman ruled over us only with this and they diffused sorcery among the people. When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned Sulaiman Ibn Dawud as one of the former Messengers sent by Allah the Almighty, the Jews in Madinah said: Amazingly Muhammad claims that Sulaiman Ibn Dawud was a Prophet, by Allah, he was nothing but a sorcerer. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew).

Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Al-Qasim after Hussein Ibn Al-Hajjaj after Abu Bakr after Shahr Ibn Hawshab -Weak (i.e. not trustworthy) Narrator- as saying: The devils used to write sorcery down when Sulaiman was absent. "They wrote: whosoever wants to do such and such, he should stand facing the sun and say such and such. And, whosoever wants to do such and such, he should stand giving his back to the sun and say such and such." They wrote this in a book titled: "This is what has been written by Asif Ibn Barkhiya by the order of King Sulaiman Ibn Dawud: from the treasures of knowledge." Then, they buried it under Sulaiman's throne. When Sulaiman died, Satan established himself as an orator and said: "O people! Sulaiman was not a prophet; he was only a sorcerer! Go and seek his sorcery in his dwellings and luggage." And he led them to the buried "treasure". The people said: "By Allah! Sulaiman was a sorcerer who subjected us through his magic."

The believers from among them said: "Nay, he was a faithful Prophet." When Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) was sent and he mentioned Dawud and Sulaiman, the Jews said: "Muhammad confounds the truth with falsehood: he puts Sulaiman with the Prophets while he was just a sorcerer who was carried by the wind. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did not disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marutbut neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us).

"And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}. Narrated Ibn Jarir: I was told by Muhammad Ibn`Abdel A`la As-San`ani that he was told by Al-Mu`tamir Ibn Sulaiman who said: I heard ` Imran Ibn Jarir who narrated from Abu Majliz as saying: Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) took from every living creature a covenant. So when any person gets afflicted with anything, he (Sulaiman) asks Allah with that covenant and the person recovers.

Unfortunately, the people added to this sorcery and magic and said: this is what Sulaiman Ibn Dawud used to act upon. Thereupon, Allah the Almighty revealed His Saying: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon). Sulaiman did lot disbelieve, but the Shayatin (devils) disbelieved, teaching men magic and such things that came town at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people earn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife, but they could not thus harm anyone except by Allah's Leave. And they learn that which harms them and profits them not. And indeed they knew that the buyers of it (magic) would have no share in the Hereafter. And how bad indeed was that for which they sold their own selves, if they but knew}.

Narrated Ibn Abu Hatim: I was told by `Isam Ibn Rawwad after Adam after Al-Mas`udi after Ziyad the freed slave of Ibn Mus` ab after Al-Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: one-third of poetry, one-third of sorcery (magic), and one-third of soothsaying. And, he said: I was told by AI-Hasan Ibn Ahmed after Ibrahim Ibn `Abdullah Ibn Bshshar Al-Wasiti after Surur Ibn Al-Mughirah after `Abbad Ibn Mansur after Al- Hasan pertaining to Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, as saying: they were the Jews who followed what they gave out in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him). Prior to that the people knew sorcery, but it was only followed in the lifetime of Sulaiman. That was a summary of the sayings and narrations of the godly earlier scholars concerning this and it is obvious that there is no clear contradiction between any of them, may Allah guide us all to the Right and Straight Path of His!

Allah's Statement: {They followed what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic) in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}, i.e. the Jews who were given an earlier Divine Scripture -gave their backs to it and rejected Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and followed {what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic)},what the Shayatin (devils) gave out (falsely of the magic), i.e. what was narrated and related by the devils {in the lifetime of Sulaiman (Solomon)}.

It is true that magic existed before the time of Sulaiman Ibn Dawud (Peace be upon them) because magicians were found in the lifetime of Musa (Moses) (Peace be upon him) and that Sulaiman came after Musa (Peace be upon them both). Allah the Almighty says: {Have you not thought about the group of the Children of Israel after (the time of) Musa (Moses)? When they said to a Prophet of theirs, "Appoint for us a king and we will fight in Allah's Way." He said, "Would you then refrain from fighting, if fighting was prescribed for you?" They said, "Why should we not fight in Allah's Way while we have been driven out of our homes and our children (families have been taken as captives)?" But when fighting was ordered for them, they turned away, all except a few of them. And Allah is All-Aware of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)}. (Al-Baqarah, 246) then, Allah mentioned the story in which, {and Dawud (David) killed Jalut (Goliath), and Allah gave him [Dawud (David)] the kingdom [after the death of Talut (Saul) and Samuel] and Al-Hikmah (Prophethood), and taught him of that which He willed}. (Al-Baqarah, 251) and, the people of Salih who existed before Ibrahim (Peace be upon him) said to their Prophet Salih: {You are only of those bewitched!}. (Ash-Shu'ara', 153)

Allah the Almighty says: {and such things that came down at Babylon to the two angels, Harut and Marut but neither of these two (angels) taught anyone (such things) till they had said, "We are only for trial, so disbelieve not (by learning this magic from us)." And from these (angels) people learn that by which they cause separation between man and his wife), i.e. the Jew falsely claimed that Allah Almighty revealed magic on the tongues of Gabriel and Michael to Sulaiman Ibn Dawud, but Allah belied them and showed their falsehood. Moreover, Allah informed His Messenger Muhammad (Peace be upon him) that neither Gabriel, nor Michael has descended with magic and He declared the innocence of Sulaiman (Peace be upon him) from sorcery and black magic. Allah told the whole people that magic is nothing but the work of devils who teach it to the people in Babylon. And, that the two men who used to teach it to the people there were called Harut and Marut.